Bà Chúa Xứ (local tutelary goddess) Temple and other popular spiritual destinations in An Giang Province attracted many visitors last month. – VNA/VNS Photo Phương Vy |
AN GIANG – More than one million tourists visited pagodas, temples and historic sites in the southwestern province of An Giang last month, an increase of 200,000 compared to January, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The figure represented 26 per cent of the province’s yearly target.
The most popular spiritual tourism destinations were Bà Chúa Xứ (local tutelary goddess) Temple in Châu Đốc City’s Núi Sam Mountain, Cấm Mountain in Tịnh Biên District, and Thất Sơn (Seven Mountain) Mountain Range in Trị Tôn and Tịnh Biên districts.
Due to its complex river and mountain systems, An Giang has stepped up its tourism promotion on media sites. It is also offering quality accommodations and imposing strict penalties on service providers who solicit and overcharge tourists.
Châu Đốc City, one of the province’s main tourism sites, provides free wifi service at Basa Fish Park, Bồ Đề Đạo Tràng (Buddha-Gaya) Pagoda Park and Bà Chúa Sứ Temple.
In addition, a Viettel branch has co-ordinated with the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to introduce “Tourist.one”, a mobile application that guides tourists and helps them book online tickets to certain sites, among other services.
This year, the province aims to attract 6.8 million tourist arrivals, with total earnings of over VNĐ3.5 trillion (US$153.8 million).
It also plans to launch “An Giang Tourism Month 2017” on May 18, along with other activities including educational seminars, exhibitions, a dragon-boat race on Châu Đốc River, a lantern festival, and the Bảy Núi ox race festival. – VNS